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Goa

Culture of Goa. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

The major attraction of Goa is its charming nature complementing local historical and religious monuments. Idalkao Palace is notable among the historical monuments of the capital; that’s an incredibly beautiful and large building built in the 15th century. The palace is located on the banks of the Mandovi River; once it was used as fortifications. Currently this luxurious palace is the seat of the secretariat.

Cuisine of Goa for gourmet with top restaurants and cafe

The Portuguese had a major impact on formation of culinary traditions of Goa; however, many ways of cooking national dishes haven’t changed for hundreds of years. Like many centuries …

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One of the most picturesque and interesting places for fans of excursions is Fontainhas area in Panaji, as this charming old quarter is rich in important tourist sites. Many centuries ago, Portuguese have lived there. These days, their descendants are main inhabitants of the historic district. Fontainhas consists entirely of unique architectural monuments; there are old houses and several lovely whitewashed churches in the neoclassical style.

Travelers that are interested in the history of Goa are certainly recommended to have a stroll through the ruins of Vijayanagar. This archaeological site is located near Hampi; it consists of large-scale ruins of the ancient city, the former capital of a large empire. According to scientists, at least 500 thousand people have lived in the city until the 15th century. Vacationers can see large-scale markets as well as stroll through residential areas. Vijayanagar was completely looted and destroyed in the mid16th century, when a great empire went into decline; today, only ruins of large-scale buildings are reminiscent of its original grandeur. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Authentic traditions, festivals and lifestyle of Goa inhabitants

Many national holidays carried out on Goa have religious roots. However, they are quite similar to religious celebrations in usual meaning. Locals devote incredibly interesting festivals and …

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One of the most beautiful places in Goa is Gokarna. This small town is of only one street aligned with very cute wooden houses, typical representatives of the local architecture. The old town attracts travelers with its religious attractions; there are some important temples here, whose age is more than one hundred years.

In addition to curious religious facilities, Goa features diverse fortifications; the most famous among them is Fort Aguada. It has been built in the first half of the 17th century and has played a crucial role in battles with the British and German conquerors. The fort has survived massive attacks and kept the status of unassailable. It was able to fully preserve its unique original appearance, so all the arches and nearly 80 guns are in excellent condition.

This guide to cultural sights Goa is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.

Goa - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6

Reference information

Map of all art museums

Art galleries in Goa and around
♥ Art museum 'Goa State Museum' Panjim, 17.7 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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Map of all churches

Cathedrals and basilicas near Goa
♥ Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, Old Goa, 11.6 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Old Goa, 11.6 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Chapel of St. Catherine, Old Goa, 11.6 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Former Church of St. Augustine, Old Goa, 11.7 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Old Goa, 11.9 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Milagris Cathedral, Sawantwadi, 55.7 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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Iconic cultural sights of India

The temple of the sun-god Surya in Konark was built seven centuries ago. Built entirely of stone, the temple is known for its bas-reliefs of a sexual nature, which can be seen on its walls. Birds sing around the chariot-shaped temple, beautiful flowers grow everywhere. In other words, this temple is fascinating both on the inside and on the outside. In 1951, the Somnath Temple dedicated to Shiva was opened in Prabhas Patan. This is a modern, reconstructed building of the temple on the site of an ancient construction which was built at the end of the 10th century. The ocean waters caress the base of the temple. It is very clean here and there are always many pilgrims, suffering Hindus praying to Shiva for healing. Taking pictures inside the temple is prohibited. … Open

Culture of Goa. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Iconic cultural sights of India

Photogallery of cultural heritage of Goa

Landmarks of culture on Goa map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc

Excursions over cultural sights of neighbours of Goa